Rioters Slay S. Africa Soldier

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Security forces said today that rioting blacks near Port Elizabeth killed a white soldier--the first soldier to die in the line of duty since military units were sent into violence-torn townships a year ago.

The South African Defense Force said the soldier, Johan Schoeman, 19, was patrolling the black township Kwazakele near Port Elizabeth late Sunday afternoon when hundreds of black rioters stoned his armored vehicle. Another white soldier was knifed in the hand when he came to the aid of Schoeman, who was stoned and stabbed to death.

After the announcement of Schoeman’s death, the left-wing End the Conscription Campaign repeated its call for the withdrawal of army troops from the townships.

The group said it “has long warned of the presence of troops in South Africa’s townships, both because they are playing a directly repressive role and because it forcibly draws young conscripts into the conflict.”